A Tale of Three Cities 三城记 (2015) – Hong Kong / China

Reviewed by Andrew Chan

Cast: Lau Ching-wan, Tang Wei, Qin Hailu, Jing Boran
Director: Mabel Cheung
Screenwriter: Mabel Cheung, Alex Law
Producers: Alex Law, Nansun Shi, Zhang Dajun, James Tsim, Shan Tam
Director of photography: Wang Yu
Production designer: Tim Yip
Costume designer: William Fung
Editor: Kwong Chi-leung, Wong Hoi
Music: Henry Lai

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Mabel Cheung and Alex Law is one of the few director and writer duo that I admired immensely. Cheung’s work always have a historical story and background that links the characters together through life adversity, cultural significant and utterly realistic and touching emotions. In the midst of the commercial filmmaking world of Hong Kong, Cheung and Law are those kind of rare cinematic gems that knows the audiences’ hearts and on the journey they tell us a brilliant love story about life, the difficulties and how we overcome the bad and good times.

Her latest work, “A Tale of Three Cities” is inspired by superstar Jackie Chan’s parents own story about how they got together, the world war, the years apart and jumping and fleeing from one city to another, witnessing numerous deaths and ultimately settling in Hong Kong in the most amazing fashion. Words cannot describe how well this film is lensed and the use of close up have never been better filmed. Mabel Cheung throws one infernal of emotions at your after another until you are literally grounded with tears at last pictorial scene.

Lau Ching Wan headlines the film as Charlie Chan (aka Jackie Chan’s father) is absolutely brilliant as an ordinary guy torn by one obstacles after another that life throws at him, but stubborn believe in the love of Yuerong (played beautifully by Tang Wei). The moments they spend together, hugging, smiling, touching, struggling, living and just being together touches the lightest core of our hearts. Tang Wei is clearly in her “Golden Era” mode and is once again flawless in her portray of a brave woman in face of bad times. Elaine Jin is excellent as the mother of Tang Wei and every time they meet again, it’s a moment to treasure. Qin Hailu who plays the friend of Tang Wei is simply exquisite and chew sceneries by lighting up the screen with smoke and tears. The moment where Qin Hailu stares at an egg, the film reaches its emotional climax and that truly is really something for the beholders.

All in all, “Tale of Three Cities” is yet another Hong Kong cinematic gem and love letter to the people of Hong Kong. It is rich in its history, culture, the struggles, the adversities, the hard work, the ethics are all evident and on show to what is truly defined as Hong Kong people and spirit. These are the generation that made Hong Kong people unique and who they really are today. Mabel Cheung who have never been influenced by commercial filmmaking have perhaps made use of Chinese money and investors to create a profoundly Hong Kong film about real people and stories to tell. Whatever it may be, do not miss this film on the cinematic big screen. Hong Kong Film awards beware, this is a tale to win the hearts.

Recommended film and endorsed by HK Neo Reviews.